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Monday, September 19, 2011

Over three months since I’ve written? What have I been doing?! Clearly a lot has happened in that length of time, and I want to share just how wonderfully God has been working in my life. To save you from reading another one of my novels, I’ll try to be brief.

My summer was filled with lots of work at the daycare again. It really flew by so quickly. I was able to spend a lot of time with Casey, which was a big blessing since we’re no longer in the same place during the school year. My mom, dad, and I made a trip to Arkansas to visit my grandparents. My grandmother had a stroke back in April and has been going through a long recovery process. She was able to go home a few weeks ago, and although this transition is a difficult one, we are praying for even more success in the near future. It was so good to be able to spend some time with her and my grandpa.

There are a million things that I want to tell you about my trip to the Dominican Republic, but I will save most of that for our personal conversations (so ask me about it!). My favorite part about the trip this year was that I saw some of the kids that I had met the year before, and they actually remembered me. My sweet girl at the orphanage, Hannah Madeline, reminded me not to cry as I was leaving her because “It’s not goodbye. I’ll see you next year.” And yes she will! My heart is still in the Dominican, and I cannot wait to go back!

My sweet Hannah Madeline!

Jeffrey and I again this year!

When I returned from the Dominican, we took a trip down to Apopka, Florida to see the newest edition of our family come into the world! Welcome beautiful Alaina Rose Metzler! She is our little princess already, and I cannot wait to see her again! During this short trip, I got to see my amazing family who I miss every day! It was such a good trip- and a way too short one!

Welcome into the world, Princess Alaina!

My beautiful cousin, Stephanie, the proud mommy!

The new big brother, little Isaac!

My sweet cousin Brittany Kay!

We got back from Florida on Wednesday, and I moved back to Athens on Friday to start two-a-days for cheerleading. It was pretty hectic at first. I had to stay with a friend for a few days while they finished my apartment, but I got to move in the day before we went off to camp in Myrtle Beach. We received a full-paid bid to nationals at camp this year! Whoo-hoo! Go Dawgs!

School started back up the day after we returned from camp, and it has definitely been in full force! I’ve been a little overwhelmed with homework, studying, practicing, and keeping up with my organizations. But it’s starting to get a little better. I’m learning how to manage my time with so much on my schedule. God has really been working in my life through all of these things. I love my BCM family more than ever! They are so supportive to all that I have going on, and I am thankful for the relationships I have formed. I also got into a new ministry this year called Team United- a combination of FCA, Athletes in Action, and Georgia Athletes Outreach. I am absolutely loving it! And I’ll be leading a study with the cheerleaders this year as well; I cannot wait to see God’s hand work through it! God has recently been teaching me what it means to surrender to His will and truly live my life for His glory. I am in awe of how amazing our God is, and there are no words to describe how in love I am with my Savior! He is opening new doors and showing me things that I have not yet been aware of, and I am excited to see where He is leading me. More details to come on that soon, but for now, my prayer is for Him to use me. “I will go, Lord, send me. Send me out to the world to make you known.” That’s how I’m asking you to pray for me as well as I continue to see His plans unfold.

Lastly, I won’t take up too many words on this- just leave you with some pictures. Being a Georgia cheerleader is one of the best experiences of my life! I have been so blessed by this gift in so many ways. I have met wonderful people, gone wonderful places, and most of all… cheered between the hedges in Sanford Stadium! I am loving every minute! It’s GREAT to be a Georgia Bulldog!